Photo: Ellin Beltz · Public domainCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is 4.6 miles from Indianola
No college sits inside Indianola’s boundary, but California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt’s campus in Arcata, with 5,596 students on campus, is 4.6 miles from the center of town, and College of the Redwoods is 9.9 miles away in Eureka. About 5% of Indianola’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California (8%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Indianola. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Indianola
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Indianola
Both are public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Indianola.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Indianola’s median household income ($54,716) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Indianola: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college near Indianola
Is Indianola a college town?
No. About 5 of every 100 Indianola residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as California (8). The nearest campus, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, is 4.6 miles away in Arcata.
What colleges are near Indianola?
Within 15 miles: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (4.6 miles, 5,596 students on campus) and College of the Redwoods (9.9 miles, 3,209).
What is the closest community college to Indianola, and what does it cost?
College of the Redwoods in Eureka, 9.9 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,198 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $6,904, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt cost if we live in California?
Tuition and fees are $8,250 a year in-state and $20,850 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $8,483 (under $30,000 income) to $22,228 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Indianola. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →